Lawyers exiting Indiana’s congressional delegation

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.

Rep. Pete Visclosky’s decision to retire from the U.S. Congress after 35 years will create the possibility that Indiana’s delegation in the House of Representatives will not include an attorney.

The northwest Indiana Congressman, who has served the First Congressional District of Indiana since 1984, announced Wednesday he will not be seeking reelection in 2020. Visclosky holds a J.D. degree from Notre Dame Law School and a Master of Laws in international and comparative law from Georgetown University Law Center.

His exit from Capitol Hill will coincide with the departure of Republican Rep. Susan Brooks, who represents Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District. Brooks, who holds a J.D. degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana from 2001 to 2007, announced in June she would not seek a fifth term.

Brooks and Visclosky are the only two current Indiana members of Congress who are attorneys. Former Congressmen Luke Messer and Todd Rokita were attorneys representing Indiana’s Sixth and Fourth Congressional Districts, respectively, but both gave up their House seats to run for the Senate in 2018. They were defeated in the primary by Jasper businessman Mike Braun.

Braun went on to defeat Sen. Joe Donnelly, who holds a law degree from Notre Dame.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. has already announced his candidacy for Visclosky’s seat, according to the Chicago Tribune. Like Visclosky, McDermott earned a J.D. at Notre Dame.

In announcing his retirement, Visclosky offered some advice to others who are considering public service.

“For those who wish to serve our next generation of citizens, I would encourage each to apprise us of your vision for our area and the priorities you will dedicate your attention to at a national level,” Visclosky said in a statement announcing his retirement. “Be for something and not against someone. Strive to overcome the intolerance that grips our nation and recognize that only through mutual respect, rational discourse, cooperation and fair play can we build a good and strong community and country.”